Obituaries

John A. Christiansen, 93

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Christiansen

He was born in New Orleans, La., in 1917, son of Alfred Fulton Christiansen and Alma Louise Purdy.

He attended school in Quincy, Mass., where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Louise Andrews in 1937. They lived and raised four children on Long Island, N.Y. until he retired in 1978 with his wife to the family home on Cousins Island.

At age 20 he began his career in aviation, working for Pan Am, American Airlines, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and lastly, spent 22 years as an airlines safety officer for the Federal Aviation Administration.

He was a lifelong avid ham-radio operator, and over the years served as an assistant state director for New York State Army Military Affiliated Radio Systems and as the director for the State of Maine for amateur radio operators. His other hobbies included organic gardening, cooking and current events.

A dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, his family was his greatest joy. He was a true gentleman, with a blend of strength, compassion and dignity.

He is survived by his four children, David, Carol, Paul and Lisa; his daughter-in-law, Diane, his son-in-law, Timothy, his brother, David and sister-in-law Margaret; six grandchildren, Steven, Donna, Deidre, Regina, Jennifer and Sabrina; and six great-grandchildren, Emma, Rebecca, Timothy, Laura, Meghan and Henry.